Arms spending controversy

Telegram from the British representative
in Munich (Vincent Corbett) to the foreign secretary, SIr Edward Grey, 13
January 1914.

Corbett's telegram deals with the response in Germany to a recent speech
by the chancellor of the Exchequer, David Lloyd George, criticising the
'insanity' of increased armaments expenditure in Europe. He warns Grey that
it might create the impression that the British Cabinet was 'hopelessly
divided' over the issue of naval expenditure. This would be unfortunate
at a time - in early 1914 - when Anglo-German relations were improving and
Germany was itself becoming increasingly divided about the 'unremunerative
[military] expenditure'.
Catalogue reference: FO 371/1985 (13 Jan 1914)